Question
Hi Jacob and Jeff

  Besides my two outdoor bogs, I have about 30 trays of Sarracenia. Because I have a full time job and a life, keeping up with watering them in high summer can be a challenge. This is what I have been doing. The trays I use are cat litter boxes with holes drilled in the side about an inch from the top. I have been filling the trays till the water runs out the hole. This puts the water level about a half inch from the top of the pot the plants are in. Of course in high summer this water evaportates rather quickly, and the level does get lower in a realatively short time. This technique allows me to water my tray plants about once every four days.

Is it possible that I am overwatering my sarracenia by letting them sit in so much water, even just for a day or so?

Full sun, RO water, peat/sand

90 miles north of NYC

thanks
Nicole

Answer
Hi Nicole,

This is actually very similar to what our plants experience in our pools we use for our Sarracenia.  It is just fine as long as your plant pots are not submerged for long periods.  During hot weather they are probably using the water very fast anyway.  I would say it's good to let the water level drop down before adding more.  Some growers have experienced problems during very hot weather if the water level stays high. Plants experience problems due to lack of oxygenation and soil breakdown.  Periodic top watering also helps this problem if you're not having any rain.

Good Growing!

Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com